Before Mikki Schuk was one of the first developers to see potential in downtown Waukegan five years ago with the purchase of the massive former Blumberg Furniture store, he saw possibilities on the city’s south side.
In both cases, Shuck plunged ahead, thrived in his adopted hometown — he immigrated from Ukraine in 1999 at 27 — and kept going further. A multi-use building he renovated on Washington Street will soon sport a grocery store in the city’s core, and a restaurant will open nearby.
Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham first met Shuck during his initial term as the First Ward alderman 20 years ago. He saw how the developer could turn a dilapidated building back into a winner, and he has seen it several more times since with downtown projects.
“Most people talk about their ideas,” Cunningham said. “He does what he talks about. He sees an opportunity, and he does something about it. He is what Waukegan needs in our downtown.”
Shuck and Cunningham gripped a large pair of scissors to cut a ribbon opening his latest development in conjunction with Waukegan Community Development Partners Monday at 38 North Genesee Street, setting in motion the initial part of a potential $315 million project.
“This three-story mixed-use building — with six modern apartments and a commercial space — is more than just a structure,” Schuk said. “It’s proof Waukegan is open for business, growth and innovation. It’s a place where people will live, work and contribute to our community’s energy.”
Though the apartments are gut-renovated and the Venezuelan restaurant will be new when it is ready in approximately six weeks, the original long blue sign affixed to the exterior wall spelling “restaurant” in white letters on a blue background remains.
A fixture in downtown Waukegan for more than half a century, the sign first welcomed diners to the Lakeview restaurant — a family-style diner — and later a Chinese restaurant before it sat vacant for a long time.
“I had it restored,” Shuck said. “I brought in a painter who does restorations and restored its original look. It brings a little bit of the old Waukegan to the new Waukegan.”
Downtown and lakefront development were a priority for Cunningham during his first term in office between 2017 and 2021. Losing in 2021, he regained the mayor’s office this year, was inaugurated May 5 and it remains a priority. The current project reflects his vision.
“Adding high-quality residential housing is essential to creating a vibrant and thriving community,” Cunningham said. “We’re not just building for today, we’re laying the foundation for Waukegan’s future and for generations to come as we rebuild Waukegan.”
Part of two renovations to start the $315 million project bringing 700 housing units and 70,000 square feet of commercial space to downtown Waukegan — the other is the former YMCA at the northwest corner of County and Clayton streets — Shuck made the first happen alone.
After the city approved the first two buildings, the partnership was negotiating with the city about participation when Shuck said the owner of 38 North Genesee grew impatient. He closed the deal himself, and oversaw the renovations.
With one apartment leased, Schuk said there are four one-bedroom apartments with two 1,450-square-foot units renting for $560 per month. The other pair are 1,560 square feet and will rent for $585 a month. There are a pair of two-bedroom units renting for $680. They are 1,650 square feet.
In September of 2023, Schuk renovated a four-story building on Washington Street, a few blocks from the new venture. With three apartments on the upper floors, the ground floor was dedicated to commercial space. A “high-end” grocery store will open on the ground floor as soon as an occupancy permit is issued by the city.
Not long after Schuk arrived in Waukegan, development — but not downtown — was on his radar. He met Cunningham when the mayor was the First Ward alderman before renovating a mixed-use building on the city’s south side. Cunningham was impressed.
“It was bad. He fixed it up with state-of-the-art cold storage. There were 20 units, and he got it to full occupancy,” Cunningham said of the building. “He bought 110-114 South Genesee (downtown) and rehabbed some amazing apartments.”
Purchasing the building on South Genesee Street — the onetime Blumberg furniture store — Schuk began his quest to help redevelop downtown. He became involved with the partnership led by lead developer Lowell Jaffe and Sam Yingling.
In addition to the Genesee Street property, the partnership is renovating the former YMCA with 19 apartments on the top three floors, and 6,700 square feet of commercial space. Jaffee said as soon as a development agreement is signed with the city — he hopes it will happen in June — they will start with the rest of the $119 million first phase.
Jaffe said the other three projects include renovation of the long-vacant 10-story Waukegan Building at the southwest corner of Genesee and Washington.
Courthouse Square will complete the first phase, with a new mixed-use project with retail stores and 200 apartments on a city-owned parking lot kitty-corner to the former YMCA. A one-time bank building on Madison Street adjacent to the parking lot will be renovated with 75 dwelling units.
“We need to repopulate downtown Waukegan,” Jaffe said.
Cunningham said an additional 500 to 700 housing units are needed in the downtown area to make it and the lakefront thrive. Jaffe said the partnership plans on 700.
“There is a need for affordable housing and the prices in Waukegan are already affordable,” Jaffe said.
